Aston Villa have reportedly rejected a bid worth £10m from Sheffield United for attacker Cameron Archer.
The 21-year-old has been limited to just 13 appearances for the West Midlands giants since making his debut in June 2019, but impressed last term on loan at Championship outfit Middlesbrough.
Archer made the switch to the Riverside Stadium for the second half of the 2022-23 campaign, scoring 11 goals and providing six assists in 17 second-tier matches as Michael Carrick's men narrowly missed out on promotion.
The England Under-21 international enjoyed a temporary switch to Preston North End during the previous season in which he netted seven goals, and the striker could now be set to earn a chance of regular game time in the top flight.
However, according to Football Insider, Aston Villa have snubbed an offer of £10m from Premier League newcomers Sheffield United for academy graduate Archer.
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The report claims that Unai Emery is willing to allow the forward to leave the club permanently this summer, with the Spaniard not currently having the player in his plans for the 2023-24 term.
Archer signed a long-term deal at Villa Park last summer, with the youngster contracted with the Villans for another four years, meaning that Emery's men can afford to be stubborn in transfer negotiations.
Paul Heckingbottom's side are in need of attacking reinforcements after the departure of talisman Iliman Ndiaye to Ligue 1 outfit Marseille earlier in this window.
The 23-year-old provided 24 goal contributions for the Blades as they finished second in the Championship behind Burnley last campaign, ensuring a return to the Premier League following a two-year absence.
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A forward duo of Benie Traore and Will Osula started United's top-flight opener on Saturday afternoon against Crystal Palace at Bramall Lane, with the two youngsters possessing little experience at the highest level.
The Blades have also lost a key man in their engine room, seeing Norway international Sander Berge leave to link up with Vincent Kompany's Clarets earlier this month.
Gustavo Hamer has been recruited from Coventry City to replace the towering 25-year-old, with the former Sky Blues man handed the opportunity to impress in the Premier League following three seasons playing Championship football in the East Midlands.
Archer watched on from the bench as his Villa teammates were thrashed 5-1 at St James' Park by Newcastle United on Saturday evening, with Emery opting to play Moussa Diaby and Ollie Watkins ahead of the 21-year-old.
Carter White
